Medicinal cannabis approvals for under-25s surge in Australia

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 08:01 · Archive

More than 50,000 medicinal cannabis approvals were issued to Australians aged 25 and under between 2016 and 2024, with rates rising considerably from 2021.

More than 50,000 medicinal cannabis product approvals were issued to Australians aged 25 and under between 2016 and 2024, according to data from the Therapeutic Goods Administration. The rate of approvals has risen considerably since 2021. Most were for young adults aged 20 to 25, but 10 per cent were for children under 15.

Anxiety and chronic pain are the leading reasons for prescriptions, accounting for 43 per cent and 28 per cent of approvals respectively. Neurodevelopmental conditions account for 10 per cent and sleep disorders for 9 per cent. General practitioners are the most frequent prescribers. The form of cannabis prescribed varies by age: children under 15 receive oil formulations with higher levels of cannabidiol, while older teens and young adults more commonly receive products with higher levels of THC, often in inhaled forms.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne have raised concerns about the trend. Dr Christine Hallinan, a senior research fellow at the university's medical school, noted that anxiety disorder approvals have accelerated dramatically, rising from around 10 per cent of all approvals not long ago to the current leading position. She warned that the endocannabinoid system plays a critical role in adolescent and child brain development, particularly in the maturation of circuits involved in emotional regulation and fear. She cautioned that THC, the psychoactive compound most frequently prescribed across these age groups, can affect personality and motivation levels during this sensitive growth period.

How it is being reported

• Under-25 medicinal cannabis approvals surge in Australia, experts raise red flags over youth health risksConcerning new research finds prescriptions for medicinal cannabis among Aussies under 25 have surged in recent years.Perth Now · 26 Oct, 07:52
• Under-25 medicinal cannabis approvals surge in Australia, experts raise red flags over youth health risksConcerning new research finds prescriptions for medicinal cannabis among Aussies under 25 have surged in recent years.The West Australian · 26 Oct, 06:37

In this story: Australia · University of Melbourne · Therapeutic Goods Administration · Dr Christine Hallinan

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